Device for marking articles



Oct. 19, 1954 2,691,936

A. J. FARKAS ETAL DEVICE FOR MARKING ARTICLES Filed Dec. 1 1950 5Sheets-Sheet 1 NVENTORE' .ibmas 4M 1954 J. FARKAS ET AL DEVICE FORMARKING ARTICLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 1 1950 BY M0043 Z1 1954 A.J. FARKAS ET AL DEVICE FOR MARKING ARTICLES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec.1 1950 E I/Idldrl/l ill-2 Patented Oct. 19, 1954 DEVICE FOR MARKINGARTICLES Alfred J. Farkas, Chicago, and Jonas Theodore Lindquist,Skokie, Ill.

Application December 1, 1950, Serial No. 198,656

Claims.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in devicesfor marking articles and more particularly to a device for marking upona moving package, coding or other identifying indicia during themovement of a package upon a traveling conveyor.

An object of the invention is the provision of a device having a simpleand sturdy construction operable by a package to engage therewith activetype characters of a type assembly of a type carriage for printingidentifying coding or other indicia upon such package during movementthereof by a conveyor. By active type characters we mean such of thetype characters as are disposed for engagement with the moving article.

A further and equally important object of our invention is the provisionof a coding or package marking device having an arrangement forpreventing overriding of the type carriage and for locating the typewith respect to the package to be marked.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for the purposeand of the character hereinafter described which may be used forprinting indicia upon either the top, side, bottom, or end walls of apackage under movement by a conveyor.

Another object of the invention is to provide an arrangement foraligning the type characters in the type carriage wheel.

An equally important object of the invention is to provide a device ofthis character wherein the printing mechanism is confined within anenclosure such as a hood or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of thecharacter hereinafter described which comprises relatively few parts andone which may be economically manufactured and sold.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of partsto be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing our improved packagemarking and coding device in applied position with respect to a packageto be marked;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same showing the hood thereof inopen position;

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line 3-3 ofFig. 5 with the hood in closed position with respect to the typingmechanism;

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view similar to that shown in Fig. 3 butshowing the type carriage in position to engage a package;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line 5-5 ofFig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail view of the type carriage wheel takensubstantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional detail view of the same taken on line1--1 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of one of the type holding disks embodiedin the invention.

The several objects of our invention are accomplished by the preferredform of construction shown in the accompanying drawings and in which ourpackage marking or coding device is indicated at I0.

In Fig. 1, we have illustrated the device in its relationship topackages II to be marked or coded. These packages I l are mounted formovement in a horizontal plane upon a traveling conveyor l2. The markingand coding device I!) is supported in a proper position with respect tothe packages I I by a supporting bar l3 which may be attached to a framestructure (not shown) of the conveyor [2. This supporting bar [3 has ahorizontally extending arm [4 to which is pivotally connected a hood l5.

A main carriage is indicated generally at It. This main carriagesupports the type or printing mechanism to be presently described. Themain carriage comprises similarly constructed side plates I! and I8arranged in parallel spaced confronting relation with respect to eachother and providing at corresponding end portions bearings l 9 throughwhich the arm [4 is journaled thereby to pivotally support the maincarriage from the bar l3.

The opposite corresponding end portions of the plates l1 and l 3 provideupwardly extending arms 20 connected together by a tie bar 2|. This tiebar 2| cooperates with a spring latch 2| carried by the hood [5 to latchthe hood in covering position with respect to the carriage [6. Thecarriage I6 is yieldably urged in a downward direction with respect tothe arm M by means of a spring 22 embracing the arm I4 between theplates I1 and I8 having one end portion 23 hooked to a shaft 24' thelatter serving to connect the adjacent end portions of the plates I 1and I8 together. The opposite end portion of the spring frictionallyprojects into a socket 24 provided by a collar 25 fixed to the arm I4 bya suitable set screw 26.

At the junction between the plates l1 and I8 and the arms there areprovided transversely extending elongated slots 21 in which arejournaled the end portions 23 of a shaft 29. These end portions 28 ofthe shaft 29 are threaded to receive the retaining nuts 30. On thisshaft is rotatably mounted a type carriage wheel indicated generally at3|. This type carriage wheel 3| comprises similarly constructed circularside discs 32 spaced from each other by a suitable spacer sleeve 33 andhaving their circumferential edges knurled as at 34 to provide grippingsurfaces which surfaces when engaging the package II will effectrotation of the type carriage 3| about the shaft 2 9.

These discs 32 are connected in spaced relation with respect to eachother by spaced plates 35 having upstanding flanges 35 secured to thediscs 32 by nut receiving bolts 31.

The type carriage wheel 3| is shown as supporting two sets of typeassemblies 38 and 39; however, the arrangement may be such as to carrymore than two assemblies. Each of the type assemblies comprises a shaft40 carried by the spacer plates 35 and fixed to such plates by means ofnuts 4| threaded upon the threaded end portions 42 of the shaft 40.Mounted on the shaft are type character wheels 45 each comprisingconfronting discs 43 having inwardly turned flanges 44 engaging ingrooves 45 formed in type shoes 45. These type shoes 46 support the typecharacter 4'! and are adjustable circumferentially with respect to thediscs 43. The discs 43 are spaced from each other by a spacer sleeve 48.

The shaft 45 in cross section is substantially rectangular and each ofthe discs has similarly shaped openings formed therein. The typecharacters 38 may be formed of any approved material. In order topresent the type upon an arch corresponding to the circumference of thediscs 32 the openings 4| of the discs of the intermediate type wheelsare slightly off center with respect to each other as shown in Fig. 8 topresent the type character upon such arch.

The type characters, which we term the active type characters, areproperly aligned for the printing operation by means of an aligningplate 49, there being one such aligning plate for each type assembly.Each aligning plate 49 comprises an elongated slot 50 through which theactive type characters project. The aligning plate provides inwardlyturned end portion 5| providing sleeve 52 through which projects a studshaft 53 for pivotally connecting the aligning plate 49 to the discs 32.

The spacer plates 35 each carry a spring latch 54 which bears againstthe inwardly turned portion 5| of the aligning plate to yieldably holdsuch plate in position with respect to the active type characters.

In order to time the engagement of the active type characters withrespect to the package to be printed upon by such type characters weprovide a combination anti-override and locating bar 55. This bar 55provides at one end portion a bearing sleeve 55 through which isjournaled the shaft of a connecting bolt 5'! by which the bar 55 ispivotally connected to an arm 58 adjustably fixed as at 59 to the arm M.A laterally extending stud screw 55 is carried by the side plate Hi andbears upon the bar 55 whereby to yieldably bear the bar 55 againstlateral rollers 5| carried by pivot bolts 62 threaded into a plate 63.By means of slot and bolt connections 54 this plate 63 may be adjustedcircumferentially 4 with respect to the shaft 29 to position the rollersfor proper engagement with the locating bar 55.

By this arrangement the bar 55 in cooperation with the rollers 6|prevents override of the type carriage 3| as the disc 32 moves fromengagement with one package to a trailing package. It also effectsproper engagement of the active type projecting through the elongatedslot 50 of the retaining plate 49 with respect to the package, whereby,as the package is moved beneath the type carriage 3|, the active typewill at the proper time engage the surface of the package to be printedupon, thereby to make a complete printing or marking upon the package.

The inking mechanism comprises an inking roller 65 having a cylindricalink absorbing pad 56 communicating with a reservoir within the roller65, the ink being admitted to the reservoir through normally closednipples 51.

This inking roller is rotatably carried by a shaft 58 fixed to an armlink 59. This arm link 69 is by means of bolt and slot connections 10adjustably connected to an arm link The arm link H provides a bearing 12through which is journaled the shaft 24, the ends of which are journaledthrough openings formed in the plates I! and I8. Embracing this shaft24is a spring 73 one end of which is hooked as at 14 to the arm link IIand the opposite end frictionally projected into a socket 15 formed inan adjustment nut 15 mounted on the shaft 24 and having a plurality ofnotches H which are adapted to selectively receive the end portions of apin 18 carried by the shaft 24 whereby the spring I3 r may be placedunder the desired tension.

The arm link II rests on an eccentrically mounted stud 19 carried as atby a plate By adjusting this eccentric stud 19, the downward pivotalmovement of the arm link H may be varied. By adjusting the arm link 59relative to the arm link ii, the position of the inking roller upon thetype carriage 3| may be adjusted for the best results.

In use the supporting bar |3 is supported from a frame element of theconveyor |2 to support the carriage it in the path of movement of thepackages II. By adjusting the arm 58- relative to the arm M the distancebetween the type carriage 3| and the elevator may be varied tocompensate for boxes of various heights. By adjusting the collar 25relative to the arm M the bearing pressure of the locating bar 55 uponthe rollers 6| may also be varied to the proper degree which permits aproper rotation of the type carriage 3| by the moving package ll.Likewise, by adjusting the nut "it relative to the shaft 24 the propertension will be exerted upon the inking roller as will best serve thepurpose.

During the operation of the device the hood normally encloses the maincarriage l6 as well as the upper portion of the type carriage 3|. Apackage or other article moving beneath the type carriage 3| by theconveyor |2 will engage the knurled edges of the type carriage discs 3|and 32 and impart rotation to the typecarriage 3| whereupon the activetype characters will be brought into printing engagement with respect tothe surface of the package on which the indicia or other characters areto be printed. During this rotation of the type carriage 3| by movementof the package on the conveyor |-2 the rotation of the type carriage 3|is yieldably restrained by the override and locating bar 55. By thisarrangement, the active type will properly engage the surface of the boxon which the printing is to be made.

By constructing the type carriage 3| in the manner herein described,adjustment of the type character may be made by merely moving the typeretainer plate 49 from engagement with the active type and then shiftingthe type characters circumferentially with respect to their respectivewheels to bring the desired type characters into position for passageinto the slot 50 of the retaining plate 49. This plate not only retainsthe type characters in position but also effects alignment of the typecharacters with respect to each other.

When the device is not in use, the hood l5 may be pivoted to an openposition as shown in Fig. 2, and the ink roller elevated from theposition shown in Fig. 2, in which position the ink roller may remainuntil it is desirable to again operate the device.

For the best operation it is desirable that the adjustment between thelocating bar 55 and the rollers 6| be such that during idleness of thetype carriage 3| the inking roller will not be disposed on the activetype character projecting through the slot 50. By such an arrangementimpressions are not likely to be formed in the inking pad of the rollerwhich would otherwise result were the inking roller left to remain inengagement with the active type.

As before stated, our device may be used for the purpose of marking uponthe side walls as well as the top walls of the box. This may beaccomplished by supporting the device from the conveyor, so that thetype carriage 3| will engage the adjacent side walls of a box.

The simplicity of construction of our device permits the same to bemanufactured at an economical cost. The device may be used for markingupon boxes of various sizes, the construction affording the typecarriage to be adjusted to accomplish that purpose.

While we have illustrated and described the preferred form ofconstruction for carrying our invention into effect, this is capable ofvariation and modification without departing from the spirit of theinvention. We, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precisedetails of construction set forth, but desire to avail ourselves of suchvariations and modifications as come within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is:

1. A package marker comprising a supporting member, a main carriagepivotally carried by said supporting member, a retaining arm fixed tosaid supporting member and engageable beneath said main carriage tolimit downward movement of said main carriage relative to saidsupporting member, spring means carried by said supporting member andacting on said main carriage for yieldably holding said main carriageinto bearing engagement with respect to said arm, a type carriagerotatably supported by said main carriage and having a pair of rollerbearing studs extending laterally from one side thereof, independenttype assemblies carried by said type carriage, a retaining bar carriedby said arm and yieldably engaging the rollers of said studs to restrainthe rotation of said type carriage, and inking means in the path ofrotation of type carried by said type carriage, said type carriagehaving a type aligning and retaining plate for engaging type of saidassemblies in the path of said inking means,

said retaining bar and said roller bearing studs cooperating to locatethe type on the type carriage at a point from engagement with saidinking means when said type carriage is stationary.

2. A package marker comprising a supporting member, a main carriagepivotally carried by said supporting member, a retaining arm fixed tosaid supporting member and engageable beneath said main carriage tolimit downward movement of said main carriage relative to saidsupporting member, spring means carried by said supporting member andacting on said main carriage for yieldably holding said main carriageinto bearing engagement with respect to said arm, a type carriagerotatably supported by said main carriage and having a pair of rollerbearing studs extending laterally from one side wall plate thereof,independent type assemblies carried by said type carriage, a retainingmeans carried by said arm and yieldably engaging the rollers of saidstuds to restrain the rotation of said type carriage, said wall platehaving adjustable connection to said type carriage to permitcircumferential adjustment of said studs with respect to said retainingmeans, and adjustable inking means rotatably carried in the path ofrotation of type carried by said type carriage, said type carriagehaving a type aligning and retaining plate for engaging type of saidtype assemblies in the path of said inking means, said retaining meansand said roller bearing studs cooperating to locate the type on the typecarriage at a point from engagement with said inking means when saidtype carriage is stationary.

3. A package marker comprising a supporting member, a main carriagepivotally carried by said supporting member, a retaining arm fixed tosaid supporting member and engageable beneath said main carriage tolimit downward movement of said main carriage relative to saidsupporting member, spring means carried by said supporting member andacting on said main carriage for yieldably holding said main carriageinto bearing engagement with respect to said arm, a type carriagerotatably supported by said main carriage and having a pair of rollerbearing studs extending laterally from one side wall plate thereof,independent type assemblies carried by said type carriage, a retainingbar carried by said arm and yieldably engaging the rollers of said studsto restrain the rotation of said type carriage, said wall plate havingadjustable connection to said type carriage to permit circumferentialadjustment of said roller bearing studs with respect to said retainingbar, and inking means in the path of rotation of type carried by saidtype carriage, said type carriage having a type aligning and retainingplate for engaging type of said type assemblies in the path of saidinking means, said retaining bar and said roller bearing studscooperating to locate the type on the type carriage at a point fromengagement with said inking means when said type carriage is stationary.

4. A package marker comprising a supporting member, a main carriagepivotally carried by said supporting member, a retaining arm fixed tosaid supporting member and engageable beneath said main carriage tolimit downward movement of said main carriage relative to saidsupporting member, spring means carried by said supporting member andacting on said main carriage for yieldably holding said main carriageinto bearing engagement with respect to said arm, a type carriagerotatably supported by said main carriage and having a pair of rollerbearaeensse ing studs extending: laterally from one side thereof;independent type assemblies carriedby said type carriage, a retainingbar carried by said arm and yieldably engaging the rollers of said studsto restrain the rotation of said type carriage, and adjustable inkingmeans rotatably carried in the path of rotation of type carried by saidtype carriage, said type carriage having a type aligning and retainingplate for engaging type: of said type assemblies in the path of saidinking means, said retaining bar and said roller bearing studscooperating to locatethe type' on the type carriage at a point fromengagement with said inking means when said type carriage is stationary.

5. A package marker comprising a supporting member, a main carriagepivotally carried by said supporting member, a retaining armfixed tosaid supporting member and engageable beneath said main carriage tolimit downward movement of said main carriage relative tosaid supportingmember, spring meanscarried by said supporting member and acting on saidmain carriage for yieldably holding said main carriage into bearingengagement with respect to said am, a type carriage rotatably supportedby said main carriage and having a pair of roller bearing studsextending laterally from one side wall plate thereof, independent typeassemblies carried by said type carriage, a retaining bar carriedby saidarm and yieldably engaging the rollers of saidrstuds to restrain therotation of said type carriage, said wall plate having ad j ustableconnection to said type carriage topermit circuini erential adjustmentof said roller bearing studs with respect to said retaining bar, andadjustable inking means rotatably carried in the path of rotation" ofsaid type carried by said type carriage, said type carriage having atype aligning and retaining plate for engaging type of saidtypeassemblies in the path of said inking means, said retaining bar and saidroller bearing studs cooperating tolocate the type on the type carriageat a point from engagement with said inking means when said typecarriage is stationary. 7

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McKay July 31', 1951

